Total Courses
3 requiredCEUs | Contact Hours
9 CEUs | 90 Contact HoursCost
$3,735Format
Fully onlineTime to Complete
5–6 months-
Funding Resources
Lead Change with Confidence
Organizational change requires more than project plans and process updates. Successful change initiatives depend on leaders who can guide people through uncertainty, build trust and create momentum for adoption. The Change Management Certificate is designed for professionals who want to develop practical skills for leading and supporting change initiatives across teams, departments and organizations.
Through instructor-led courses, learners will develop strategies for assessing and executing change initiatives from start to finish. Participants will explore the human side of change, including how people process uncertainty and transition, while also learning how emerging AI tools can support change management planning and execution. By the end of the program, learners will be prepared to engage and influence stakeholders at every level and lead organizational change with confidence and clarity.
The University of Minnesota Change Management Certificate offers a flexible path to building practical leadership and organizational change skills. You may complete the full certificate or take individual courses based on your goals and interests.
What You'll Learn
Through this program, participants will learn to:
- recognize and address emotional resistance, strengthen individual resilience and apply change leadership strategies that help people adopt new ways of working.
- craft change communications and storytelling narratives that inform and guide individuals through each stage of the change journey, from initial awareness to adoption.
- select and apply appropriate change management frameworks, like ADKAR, Kotter's 8-Step Model and Lewin's Change Model, to support technology implementations, culture transformations, organizational redesigns and more.
- conduct stakeholder analyses, impact assessments and organizational readiness evaluations to develop change strategies that mitigate resistance.
- develop measurement plans using KPIs to track adoption, assess behavioral shifts and demonstrate alignment with organizational goals.
- use AI platforms to create actionable change management plans that support measurable adoption within organizations.
Who Should Enroll?
This program is designed for professionals across industries who are leading change initiatives, supporting organizational transitions or preparing to take on greater responsibility within teams and departments. Project managers, team leads, HR professionals, operations leaders and mid-level managers will benefit from practical tools and strategies to help implement new initiatives, navigate culture changes and support technology adoption efforts with confidence.
Change Management Courses
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Multiweek CourseChange Leadership
Build change management skills to support organizational readiness and implementation planning.Next start date:- Oct. 26-Dec. 13, 2026 | Wed. 6:00-7:30 pm | Instructor Led Online
$1245.00 | 30.0 hours -
Multiweek CourseChange Management Toolkit
Apply change management frameworks to guide organizations through structured business transformation.Next start date:- Jan. 11-Feb. 21, 2027 | Wed. 6:00-7:30 pm | Instructor Led Online
$1245.00 | 30.0 hours -
Multiweek CourseExecuting and Sustaining Change
Apply change resistance strategies and measurement tools to track adoption and business impact.Next start date:- March 8-April 18, 2027 | Wed. 6:00-7:30 pm | Instructor Led Online
$1245.00 | 30.0 hours
Format
Each multi-week course blends synchronous and asynchronous learning to provide flexibility for independent project work while still building real-time connections with instructors and fellow participants via Zoom.
The synchronous portion—live class sessions designed for hands-on practice and support—includes a 60- or 90-minute Zoom meeting each week. During these meetings, participants join discussions and workshop assignments and projects together. This time helps learners build relationships with peers and the instructor, while also allowing for more personalized guidance.
The asynchronous portion—coursework that can be completed on each participant’s own schedule—may include recorded video lectures, readings, and assignments such as discussion posts or projects. Each week, there will be designated deadlines to help learners stay on track.
Career Outlook
Funding and Discounts
The University of Minnesota's professional development programs are affordable because they can be completed in relatively short order — sometimes within a few months — which can save you both time and money. What's more, there are other opportunities you can explore to potentially bring the cost down even further.
Funding
- CCAPS offers scholarships of $500 to $5,000 to Minnesota residents who meet eligibility requirements.
- If you're not employed, you may be able to take advantage of federal or state funding. Contact your CareerForce center to inquire.
- Your organization may have funds set aside for employee education. Read about the benefits of employer investment in career development.
Discounts
- When you register and pay for all courses in the certificate at once, you'll receive up to a 10% discount.
- University of Minnesota Alumni Association members receive a 10% discount.
- UMN staff get 50% off most professional development programs.
See Discounts, Scholarships and Other Funding for more information and possible exclusions to discounts.
Enroll
The cost of the Change Management Certificate is $3,735. But if you register and pay for all courses at once, we'll give you a 10% discount, bringing the cost down to $3,361.50!
If you are registering multiple people from your organization, use this form. (See available discounts.)
If you have questions about the registration process or payment options, or you need to transfer or cancel your registration, feel free to contact the registration team:
Option 2
Enroll in Certificate Now
Register and Pay for Courses Later
- UMN employees: choose this option to receive your discount
Connect with Us
We can help you choose which professional development programs are the best fit to meet your career goals. We are here to answer your questions regarding specific programs, courses, or other career topics you have on your mind.
Don’t hesitate to send us an email. We're here for YOU!
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Stories From the Field
Frequently Asked Questions
How will this change management certificate improve my daily business operations?
This certificate provides practical frameworks for workflow mapping and implementation planning, allowing you to minimize downtime during transitions. You will gain tools to assess organizational readiness and manage cross-functional teams, ensuring that new processes or AI solutions are adopted efficiently with measurable business impact.
Does this program cover change management for technology and AI adoption?
Yes. The curriculum can be applied to multiple types of change and transitions, including supporting technology implementation. Additionally you will learn to use AI tools to accelerate change management tasks and develop governance guardrails that ensure responsible AI use across your organization.
What specific tools will I learn to use for stakeholder management?
You will apply industry-standard frameworks such as ADKAR, Kotter’s 8-Step Model and Lewin’s 3-Step Model. Additionally, you will build a practical toolkit including impact assessments, stakeholder analysis matrices and risk management plans to ensure clear communication and reduced resistance during business transformation.
How do these courses help me measure the success of an implementation plan?
The courses emphasize data-informed decision-making by teaching you how to apply measurement frameworks that track workflow adoption and operational efficiency. You will learn to identify key performance indicators (KPIs) that demonstrate the business value of your initiatives to leadership and stakeholders.
Do employers offer tuition reimbursement for change management training?
Yes, many organizations provide reimbursement for professional development that enhances business operations. Because this certificate focuses on driving organizational readiness, implementation planning and workflow adoption, it is a strong candidate for employer funding. By building skills that directly improve operational efficiency and reduce the risks associated with business transformation, you can demonstrate clear business value and ROI to your leadership team.
Are the courses taught by industry professionals with on-the-ground experience?
Our instructors are industry professionals with extensive experience in the areas they teach. Many have years and sometimes decades of practical background and use real-world case studies and examples to enrich the learning experience.
Will I earn a credential?
Yes. Learners who complete all required courses will earn a Change Management Certificate from the University of Minnesota. In addition, participants will receive a digital badge that can be shared on LinkedIn, professional profiles and resumes to showcase their commitment and achievement.
Can organizations enroll teams in this certificate together?
Yes. The certificate works well for teams navigating organizational transitions, technology rollouts or cultural shifts together. Organizations often use the sequence to build a shared vocabulary, alignment on change frameworks, and cross-functional implementation readiness. Learn more on our Workforce Development website.
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